“Look at this, Ivoreth – this is lovely!” Celebriel exclaimed, pulling a soft, green gown from the package of clothing delivered late that afternoon.“Stand up, nethben, so I can see how it will look on you.”

Ivoreth sighed and scooted across the bed to stand and walk over to the elleth.The days since Samul’s hearing before the King had dragged on almost endlessly.Without the need to be constantly looking for food or goods to trade for coin, she was finding life empty – especially with Daren no longer at her side, keeping her company.Celebriel meant well, and the writing lessons and now sewing lessons were an interesting distraction when the elleth brought out the supplies, but she was just… different.Ivoreth was fond of her, but wasn’t entirely certain how to take her yet.

There was no question that Ivoreth was very fond of her foster father and his brother, however.Elladan had easily stepped into the place once occupied by her Da in her life, but demonstrated a level of compassion and patience that Da lacked more often than not.Ivoreth still felt a deep gratitude while watching Ada interact with Raini – and how Raini ran to him now and expected to be caught up in arms and held close.Even if she didn’t entirely feel as if she fit into this new life, she knew that bringing Raini to Ada had been the right decision.At least she’d done right once, despite all the other poor decisions that had cost others so much.As for Elrohir, Ivoreth often wondered if she had two Adas rather than just the one.

“You’re looking sad again,” Celebriel commented, setting aside the split skirt she’d just lifted from the bundle of new clothing and sitting down on the edge of Ivoreth’s bed.She put out a hand and pulled the girl to her.“It must be hard to be thinking about leaving him behind when we go home.”

“I just miss him,” Ivoreth whispered around her tears.“I keep waiting for him to come to me and ask me if he can do something he knows he isn’t ready to do yet.”She took a deep sigh.“He always wanted to help.It isn’t fair…”

“No, it isn’t,” Celebriel agreed, bending down and kissing the top of Ivoreth’s head.“But it doesn’t do you any good to sit around crying all day long either.Do you think Daren would want you to do that?”

Ivoreth turned watery eyes upward.“I don’t know,” she admitted.

The elleth hugged Ivoreth tighter, and the girl relaxed into the gentle care.

Sometimes she reminds me of Nana.Nana used to hold me like this sometimes.Maybe being different isn’t all that bad after all.

“Why don’t you help me fold up these new things and put them in your drawers?That way, everything you’ll need to pack will be in one place, ready to go when the time comes.”Celebriel ran her hand in soothing circles on Ivoreth’s back.

Ivoreth glanced at the clothing press that held the belongings that Ada had gifted her with in the days since she’d come to stay with him.She really didn’t want to open it up – not with Celebriel there.

The elleth rose and, to Ivoreth’s horror, walked over to the press and threw open the lid.“There’s plenty of room in here for all of your belongings, Ivoreth.You can help me…”Celebriel paused and then reached into the press.“What’s this?”

Ivoreth flinched – she didn’t need to see what Celebriel had fetched from the press.But she couldn’t help watching with trapped fascination as the elleth slowly unwrapped the oil-stained linen bundle to expose the dried slabs of cheese and hardened rolls that had been so carefully hidden away almost a week ago.Then there were the silver coins – all five of them – that had, one by one, been added to the bundle over time; coins that had been left unattended by those who seemed to have so very many of them – coins that could spell the difference between living and dying for two small girls.

“Ivoreth?”Celebriel asked again, her face unreadable.At least three of those silver coins had very likely come from her chamber – and had been missed, as had the ones that apparently vanished from Elrohir’s coin pouch.The discussion among the adults about the missing coins had decided that they would be discovered eventually – probably having droppedto the floor at some point in time, to be found when the apartment was cleaned just before they departed.Certainly none living there had even considered a thief in their midst – a thief who only barely managed to keep squirming and giving away her guilt right there at the supper table.

The sound of the front door opening and closing made Ivoreth flinch again.Ada was home for the evening – and from the look in Celebriel’s face, she was going to be telling Ada all about this.Ivoreth pushed herself back across the bed until she was huddled into the corner by the headboard, and then curled herself up into a small ball and threw her arm over her head.

I knew they wouldn’t understand.But I had to make certain that if anything happened – or if Raini and I ended up staying behind after all when Ada and the others leave – that I could keep us alive for a little while longer.She’ll never want to be nice to me again now, though.I’m sorry, Celebriel…

Ivoreth knew that Celebriel had left the room – most likely with her survival bundle in hand – and the sound of voices told her that Ada was being informed.She pulled herself into an even tighter ball and tucked her head down.

I’m sorry – but I had to protect myself and Raini…

She heard stirring behind her that could only be her Ada, and she screwed her eyes tightly closed and promised herself that she wouldn’t cry out while being beaten.He would have to beat her now, wouldn’t he?

“Ivore… A Elbereth!”Ada’s voice had sounded stern, but had softened with shock.“I thought we’d come further than this.”

Ivoreth felt the mattress of her bed dip with her Ada’s weight, and then he was sitting next to her, his large hands trying to carefully pry her arm back down from over her head.“Ivoreth,” he said again, this time in a gentler tone.“Look at me, nethben.”

She shook her head.

I deserve the beating.I stole from Ada – from all of them.I had to – but I didn’t want to.Now he’ll leave me behind, and I won’t be able to survive…I’m sorry, Ada!

But Ada was stronger than she – a lot stronger – and he soon peeled her arm from over her head and hauled her up into his lap to be held tightly.Ivoreth kept her eyes closed – she didn’t want to see the hurt and disappointment and anger that was certain to be in Ada’s gaze.

“I just want to know why,” Ada said in a calm and quiet voice that shocked her into breaking her promise to herself not to look at him.The disappointment in his gaze cut her heart until it bled with remorse, but the absence of anger astonished her most.Instead of anger, there was a gentle confusion.“Tell me why,” he insisted again.

“If…” she began, her throat closing down with sobs that she quashed mercilessly.“If you died…”The look of confusion warmed to one of understanding; which, rather than making her feel better, only served to make her feel as if she’d made a terrible mistake.

“Or… or if Raini and I didn’t go with you…” she tried again, flinching as she saw sudden surprise in the grey eyes at the mere thought of her staying behind, deliberately or otherwise.“I was just taking care of Raini and…”She swallowed hard.“I’m sorry, Ada.I didn’t want to, but I had to…In case you…”

“Ah, nethben nîn, I thought I had earned your trust,” Ada shook his head and whispered.“I can understand your fear of my being taken from you by death – you have lost far too many in your short life for that not to be a concern, but do you honestly think I’d leave you and your sister behind, penniless and alone as you were before you came to me?”

Do I?

Ivoreth stared up into her Ada’s face, trying to take the measure of this wonderful and grand Elf who had so invaded her life.“I don’t know,” she finally whispered back.“You aren’t here very much anymore…”He’d been gone for days now – only coming back to the apartment in the evenings in time to eat a meal and read a story to her before bedtime.Even Elrohir had been conspicuously absent.Yes, the new wardrobe hinted that she actually might be going with them – but even the clothes weren’t a guarantee.

“But I always come back, don’t I?”

Ivoreth caught her breath at the despair in his voice, and she nodded before closing her eyes again.He wasn’t going to leave us.I ruined everything – for nothing.Still, she had to plea at least for her little sister’s sake.“You can beat me, Ada – I know I have it coming.And I don’t mind if you leave me behind – I’ll make it somehow.Just, please, don’t leave Raini.She didn’t do anything…”

“I’m not…”Ada paused and then clasped Ivoreth tightly against him.“I’m not going to beat you – and I’m certainly not going to leave either you or Raini behind.You are both my daughters now, and I’m taking you both with me back to my home, where you can grow up away from this place and all the memories.”

He’s not going to beat me?Why not?

“But I’m a thief…”

“Yes, you are – but it’s a very bad habit that you can and will unlearn,” Ada shook his head at her.“You’ll owe a very big apology to Celebriel and Elrohir for stealing from them – and you shall have to do much to earn their trust back.”

“They’ll hate me now.”Ivoreth shiffled.“I’ve ruined everything.”

“No.They’ll understand. They’ll be disappointed in you, as I am, but they won’t hate you once we explain things to them.”

We? Ivoreth pushed away to look up into Ada’s face again.

“I’ve given the coins that you stole back to Celebriel and Elrohir,” he added in a calm voice that nonetheless brought the gooseflesh up on Ivoreth’s neck.“You will apologize to them at the table tonight – without fail – and you will give them your word that you will never again enter their chambers or take their belongings without permission.As my daughter and as a daughter of the House of Elrond, you are honor-bound to keep your word at all costs – and this is as good a time as any to begin to learn that responsibility and obligation.You will also bear whatever punishment they each think appropriate without complaint.Is that clear?”

Ivoreth nodded, her heart in her feet and her stomach in knots.In some ways, being beaten would have been easier to handle.She’d never had to try to win forgiveness before – not for something this bad.

“And here.”Ada took her hand and in it placed a very small leather pouch with a long looping strap – a pouch that Ivoreth could feel held weight.“Take this and keep it well.There are two gold coins in this.Keep it as a sign of my promise that you’ll never be without again – and return it to me when you can finally trust that I will not abandon you.”

She stared at him, unable to close her hand over the loaded pouch.What was he doing?“Ada?”

Ada wrapped her fingers around the pouch.“I would have you feel secure, daughter.If coin is what it takes to do that, then coin you shall have – until such time as you no longer doubt your place in my house or my heart.”

Ivoreth pulled her hand with its precious cargo to her breast.“I’m sorry, Ada.”

Ada’s hand caressed her face and cheek.“I know you are, nethben nîn.Come now – let’s go talk to Celebriel.We need to get this settled before the time comes to leave.”

oOoOo

Ivoreth trotted next to her Ada in the morning sunshine, her hand nestled comfortably in his as she sought to keep pace with him.All he had told her about where they were going that morning was, “There’s someone I want you to meet before we leave,” and her curiosity at his refusal to tell her anything else had finally managed to bring her up out of her guilty depression for the first time in days.

Neither Elrohir nor Celebriel had hidden their hurt and disappointment at her stealing from them – although both accepted Ada’s explanation.Elrohir’s response to the whole situation had been a withdrawal of affection that – especially in light of his continued joy in Raini – stung worse than any beating Da had ever given her.Celebriel voiced her disapproval of Ivoreth’s actions loudly and clearly, and yet other than assigning Ivoreth household tasks that were normally the job of the maids, seemed willing to allow the incident to pass after the heat of the moment was done.

Ivoreth did her new tasks with a dedicated efficiency, in hopes that she’d at least be able to keep her close friendship with the elleth.She watched Elrohir in the evenings with an empty, aching feeling in her heart, however – and his continuing to avoid her or even speak to her often brought her close to tears.The tiny pouch with the gold coins hung around her neck as she moved through the apartment on quiet feet, afraid to do anything that would upset any of her new family any more than they already were.

Ada pulled gently on her hand and steered her into the gaping doorway of what looked and smelled like a stable.“Since you will be riding with me,” he grinned down at her at the small gasp of surprise that had escaped, “I thought it would be best if you met Môrraud now rather than on the morning we leave.”

“Morrod?” Ivoreth repeated without understanding.

“It means ‘dark champion’ in Sindarin – and believe me, he has triumphed where many a lesser steed would have failed.”Ada walked down a line of gates and then pulled one of them open.“Wait out here a moment,” he directed, and then entered the stall.Ivoreth heard him speaking in a low voice in his musical language, and then:“Now, come to the gate and let him see you.”

Ivoreth stepped cautiously forward until she could peer into the stall, only to find herself almost face to face with the huge, black warhorse that she had seen her Ada riding that day.Intelligent dark eyes peered at her, and the nostrils flared as the steed breathed in her scent.Ivoreth looked up into her Ada’s face with fright.“He’s very big.”

“Put out your hand – let him smell you,” Ada directed, motioning her closer to him, although keeping himself between her and the warhorse’s bulk.

Ivoreth stared at her Ada.“Will he bite me?” she asked, keeping her hands behind her back.

“No, daughter.He’s quite the gentleman, when he wants to be.Give him a chance.”

Her hand shook badly, but Ada had yet to ask her to do something that resulted in bringing her to harm, so she swallowed hard and did as he directed.The velvet nose stretched out to snuffle at her hand and then moved close to her face, the breath ruffling the stray ends of her hair.The dark ears pointed forward, and Elladan chuckled.“Be nice, my friend.She’s never seen one such as you before up close.Don’t frighten her.”

Ivoreth glanced up again, much of her fear evaporating in the magic of the moment.“Can I touch him?” she asked in a whisper.

“Yes.”

Again her hand shook, but Morrod lowered his nose down so that Ivoreth could touch him, and she startled at first.“He’s so soft!” she exclaimed, running her fingertips very lightly over the velvet between the nostrils.Her smile grew as the nose pressed against her fingers.

“I wanted you to at least see him up close once before we leave, because you and I will be on his back for a very long time,” Ada explained in a very pleased tone, watching Ivoreth get braver and reach for the swirl of hair at the steed’s forehead – which Morrod conveniently moved into reach.“He likes his forehead scratched,” he told her with a grin.

Small fingers obediently moved back and forth over the oddly stiff hair, and the black face moved closer still.The soft nose brushed against her chest with another snuffle.Ivoreth looked back up at her Ada, her face showing her utter enchantment.“I will ride him?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”Ada patted Morrod’s neck and then dropped to one knee to look Ivoreth in the eye.“I say unfortunately because you, my daughter, are not used to being on the back of a horse for hours at a time – and there is little outside the preparations I’m already making to ease that journey for you.We must travel fast, and so you will ride before me on Morrod while Elrohir carries Raini with him.Raini is small enough that she will fit in a sling – but you will have to sit the horse.”

Ivoreth gazed at her Ada in confusion.“And that is a bad thing?”

Ada shook his head.“No – but it will be most uncomfortable for you.I have had a new saddle made for you that will fit in front of my own to make you as comfortable as possible.But Morrod is too big for you to begin with, and your muscles will get tired of being in the same place for hours and being rubbed constantly because the horse will not be halting but a few times each day.” He sighed.“I want you to know that if it gets to be too painful for you, I can give you something to make you sleep through much of the journey.”

“Is it very far, where we’re going?” she asked, her hand reaching out and caressing the soft nose and lips of the great stallion standing so patiently and quietly in front of her.

“We will be riding hard for at least a fortnight, perhaps a day or so longer,” Ada replied.“We will also be stopping for a day – maybe two – in Lothlorien, where my grandparents live.There are certain to be messages that need to be carried to my father, and some of the elves who journey with us travel only as far as that.”

Ivoreth’s eyes opened wide as some of what her Ada was telling her finally sank in.“I will meet your grandparents – your father?”

Ada smiled gently.“Yes, nethben, you will meet much of my family still in Arda on this trip.”He gazed at her with clear fondness.“They will be surprised by you, I’m certain – but they will love you as I do very quickly.And Imladris will be your home from now on – a much better place to grow up into a beautiful young lady than this noisy city of stone.”

Ivoreth closed the distance between herself and Ada and leaned, putting her arms around his neck and closing her eyes as strong arms enclosed her and held her close in return.

I don’t want to be here anymore either.People I love die here.I don’t want to be a thief anymore – and that’s what I am here.I want to go to Im… Imla…Ada’s home.